In protest against recent notifications for conducting of Preliminary Examination of Combined Competitive Exam (CCE), 2022 wherein no reservation has been made for ST(H) category for the post of Assam Civil Service (ACS, Jr. Grade), four Guwahati-based students’ organizations submitted a memorandum to the Chairman of, Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) on Friday.

The organization like Dimasa Students’ Guwahati, Guwahati (DSCG), Greater Guwahati Karbi Students’ Association (GGKSA), Zeme Students’ Union Guwahati A (ZeSUG) and Kuki Students’ Organization, Guwahati (KSOG) stated that vide ADVT.NO 26/2022 bearing No.26PSC/E-2/2022-23 dated 22/12/2022 APSC had advertised for the 793 posts in accordance with the APSC CCE Rules, 1989 (as amended till 2022), wherein 86 posts were advertised for Assam Civil Service (Jr. Grade) at Sl.No. 1. But surprisingly out of the said 86 posts, not a single post was advertised and/or reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (Hill) category in complete violation of law.

Thereafter, a Notification No. 29PSC/E-2/2022-23 dated 24/12/2022 was issued by APSC deferring the date of online submission of application form for C.C. (Prelim) Examination till further notification of a new date in view of likely changes in the reservation of the posts for CCE, 2022, after protests from various S.T (Hill) candidates, organizations, etc.

That after the above APSC Notification dated 24/12/2022, there was a genuine expectation that necessary changes and/or correction will be made by reserving 5% seats for S.T(H) category in the above mentioned 86 posts of Assam Civil Service (Jr. Grade). But to their utter surprise the subsequent APSC Notification dated 16/01/2023 also, APSC did not advertise and/or reserve any seat for the S.T(H) category in the advertised 86 posts of Assam Civil Service (Jr. Grade), in the most callous and malicious manner.

They highlighted that ‘The Assam Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 1978’ and amendments made thereunder till date, provide for 5% reservation in vacancies to be filled up by direct recruitment in establishments/ any office of the State Government. Therefore, the above mentioned APSC ADVT.NO 26/2022 dated 22/12/2022, and connected APSC Notification dated 24/12/2022 and 16/01/2022 are in violation of aforesaid Act of 1978 and amendments made thereunder, as well as violation of Article 16 (4) and (4-B), among other laws.

They would further like to inform that they have come to learn that the instant matter has been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister of Assam, presently in New Delhi, by Dr.Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Hence, the said issue is under consideration at the highest level of the State.

In view of the above, while registering their strongest protests and they would like to request him to take necessary steps at the earliest, to provide for 5% reservation of seats for S.T(H) category in the aforesaid 86 posts of Assam Civil Service (Jr. Grade, failing which we shall be compelled to take appropriate steps, including necessary legal recourse.

A copy of the same has been sent to Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, along with Dr.Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Debolal Gorlosa,Chief Executive Member of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, Smt. Nandita Gorlosa, Minister for Power, Cooperation, Mines, Minerals, Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department